Milestones

He failed the third grade, and after years of struggling with reading, he was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was in the seventh grade.

He gave up on school, and to avoid figuring out what to do with his life, he started partying.

In 1988, when he was twenty years old, he broke his neck in a diving accident and was left without the use of any of his limbs.

Says no one expected anything from him after that; they barely expected him to breathe.

It took him 2-3 years to recover, but he saw it as an opportunity to reset and start his life over.

After his recovery, he went back to high school, got his diploma, then went on to college; he graduated when he was thirty years old.

He got his degree in graphic design and now works as a UX designer at Intel.

One of his most notable projects was redesigning the user interface of Stephen Hawking’s revolutionary computer system.

Keep following my journey

Education

High School

BachelorDesign and Visual Communications, GeneralPortland State University

Career

UX Designer

I am an interaction and User eXperience designer.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Design

Technology

Problem Solving

Day to Day

I think of myself as a creative thinker and technologist. I help to design and create specialized technology and equipment with the aim of making people's lives better/easier. I am most well known for working with Stephen Hawking and providing him with specialized computer equipment to improve his communication speed. Through my work at Intel and other organizations, my aim is to help people with disabilities thrive.

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

Be willing to push boundaries and challenge yourself to think outside of what is possible.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Make your own path. Never go the way the herd is going. It will only lead to everyone trying to get the same job.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"You shouldn't tell people you are dyslexic, they will think less of you and treat you differently. "

Growing up, being dyslexic was my biggest embarrassment and I felt a lot of shame about it. It took a long time for me to realize that it was actually an advantage. It enables me to think differently and bring a new perspective.

Challenges I Overcame

Learning Issues

Learning Issues

I failed the third grade, and after years of struggling with reading, I was diagnosed with dyslexia in the seventh grade

Physical Issues

Physical Issues

When I was twenty years old, I broke my neck in a diving accident and was left without the use of any of my limbs.